The Patriots are preparing to go Gronk-less against Miami

By Mark Daniels / @MarkDanielsPJ

Thursday

Dec 7, 2017 at 8:13 PMDec 7, 2017 at 8:14 PM

The Patriots won a Super Bowl without Rob Gronkowski last season. Of course, they had Julian Edelman and Martellus Bennett. They won a game without the star tight end this season, beating Tampa Bay, but they scored only 19 points.

FOXBORO — The Patriots won a Super Bowl without Rob Gronkowski last season. Of course, they had Julian Edelman and Martellus Bennett. They won a game without the star tight end this season, beating Tampa Bay, but they scored only 19 points.

Life without Gronk is never ideal. Nonetheless, the Patriots will take on the Miami Dolphins on Monday night without their All-Pro, who is serving a 1-game suspension. The Patriots offense is already without Edelman, Bennett, and Malcolm Mitchell. There’s also no guarantee that Chris Hogan, who returned to practice Wednesday, plays after missing the last four games.

For the Patriots, the hope is that they can make do with what they have as they work to secure the AFC’s No. 1 seed. With four games left in the regular season, a loss could be the difference between playing at home or on the road in January.

“You’re talking about a guy who plays at a high level and is a great player,” Brandin Cooks said. “I think everyone knows that and feels a sense of urgency that they’ve got to step up a little bit more and do their job that much more.”

“That is huge,” Dwayne Allen said. “We are tasked this week to find a way to win — to put together a game plan that we can go out there and execute at a high level and get the job done.”

Historically, the offensive numbers have been down when Gronkowski isn’t in the lineup, but the Patriots still hold a 20-5 record when the tight end misses a game. A big reason for that is Tom Brady. According to ESPN Stats & Information, the quarterback’s completion percentage dips from 66 percent to 62 percent when Gronk is out of the lineup. Brady averages a full yard less per pass attempt (8.0 to 7.0) and his touchdown-interception ratio (5.29 to 2.95) dips considerably.

This season, Gronkowski has been outstanding. His numbers (55 receptions for 849 yards and seven touchdowns) are among the best in the NFL, but he’s also stepped up big time in Edelman’s absence. On third down, Gronkowski is tied with James White with a team-leading eight receptions. The Patriots not only get a top-tier receiver and red-zone target, but an outstanding run and pass blocker.

“Rob's played a lot of football in the games he's been healthy and he certainly makes an impact in a lot of different ways,” Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels said. “We've tried to use him in the ways we feel like we can be most productive with him, both as a run blocker, pass protector, pass receiver. Sometimes that has to evolve as the season goes on.”

The Patriots played one game this season, Week 5 in Tampa, without Gronk. Brady was able to throw for 303 yards, but the offense struggled in the red zone, scoring 19 points and relying on four field goals from Stephen Gostkowski. Brady’s three main targets that game were Cooks (85 yards), Danny Amendola (77 yards), and Hogan (74 yards and a touchdown).

Since Hogan has missed the last four games, the Patriots have been playing with three receivers (Cooks, Amendola, and Phillip Dorsett). If the receiver does return, he’ll be a big boost.

The Pats also have been getting a lot of help from their run game and will need to continue to do so with Gronk out. Dion Lewis and Rex Burkhead have been the major reason why the team has rushed for more than 190 yards in the last two games. When it comes to the tight end position, the Pats will rely on Allen and rookie Jacob Hollister. After going the first eight games without a catch, Allen has now caught a pass in each of the last four games.

“Next man up,” Hollister said. “Gronk being out, obviously he’s an amazing tight end, so me and Dwayne have to step up and do the best we can. That’s what we plan on doing.”

“It’s just that next-man-up mentality,” Allen said. “You want to sit and cry over it or go out there and do whatever it takes to win? That’s [why] the guys in this locker room continually find a way. We find a way to win.”

Mark Daniels writes for the Providence Journal of GateHouse Media.

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